Trainz +

[haverfordwest]

http://www.trainzportal.com/blog/view/gold-class-members-trainz-plus-update?mc_cid=390750980d&mc_eid=6cafe17352

You can have all the goodies you like. As long as you are part of the elite club and fork out more money of course.

The rest of the plebs have to wait 2 to 3 years.

Oh look, vacuum brakes, darkened tunnels, rain effects.

I wouldn't re-install Trainz, if it was the last game on earth.

Mike.

[NorthernWarrior]

With the usual cheerleaders already applauding on the N3V forum...

I'm glad I managed to get DTG TS working again on the laptop, at least they are not trying to create an elite subscription service (yet).

[hminky]

Sliding into the world of subscription software.

Garbage issued slowly rather than in one incoherent lump.

TRS2019 is barely functional and the content available is dubious.

N3V made the trucks on my payware JR loco "not active" so the loco doesn't work.

Running in TANE at the moment and am happy.

Am sure the N3V snitches are reading these posts and running back to mommy.

Clown car forever.
Harold

[philskene]

As you guys know, I'm one of the fan boyz.

But there is a risk here -- the same one that became apparent when the first version of the (now) DTG Train Simulator was released. Remember there was a European and a US version? So a route constructed in one version would not run in the other because of different built-in content.

If N3V goes along the "Trainz +" route there will inevitably end up with the same result.

But aren't we there already? Some users have DLC, others don't. Routes are going to appear that are only usable to others who have the exact same set of content. It's gonna be an ugly mess.

[haverfordwest]

Never called you a fanboi Phil and never would.

You enjoy what you do and do not ram it down everyone elses throats.

I happen not to enjoy model layout type routes.

Many do obviously by the DLS download counts.

What i object to are the deluded lunatics on the N3V form.

That clap and cheer everything N3V release, regardless of it's mediocrity.

Mike.

[NorthernWarrior]

Or business decisions which will lead to a fractured user base.

They obviously learned nothing from their attempt at Trainz Classics (or maybe they forgot) when having users creating content from culmative packs which others might not have came in for serious criticism. Eventually it all got rolled into TRS2009, apart from S&C which we had to pay for again (and several times since!). I think this is the first year for several I will not be renewing my FCT, once the current one expires and I use the three month FCT that came with '19.

[haverfordwest]

I have paid for S&C three times Vern, TC3, S&C 2009 and S&C TANE.

Same as you my FCT expired last month. 110% know i will never renew it again.

Roll on DRS, but even that is looking like vapour ware.

Mike.

[hminky]

Aways wondered why JointedRail has shown no support for 2019 and started building Railworks stuff.

RRMods also is building Railworks stuff.

Maybe they knew something we didn't.

Harold

[haverfordwest]

I believe they have both been developing for Railworks, for a while Harold.

Mike.

[Edwin]

I don’t like the Trainz business model being transplanted to Railworks, so I have only bought a few DLC which I felt necessary.

I am not sure how other prospective customers think about their business model, but given the very slow pace of releases I have a feeling I am not alone in my declination.

There has hardly been any communication or advertising since the initial entry of these providers.

JR esp has lots of very interesting pieces of rolling stock for US players.
I wouldn’t mind to have a few of those steam locomotives in Railworks either.

Perhaps they are holding back till TSW tools become available, as the Railworks market seems saturated with modern Diesels.

Now bring on some ALCo’s, an up to date set of heavyweight passenger cars and more freight cars and caboose from the steam to Diesel transition era.

[seagoon]

From their blurb:-

"......submit your favourite feature to have it considered for inclusion in a future Trainz product."

Submit your favourite feature?

That call goes back to when I was doing stuff for Trainz and I can't remember anything that I submitted being included in "a future Trainz product"!!

And they're still using that as bait. Jeeeez!

[Edwin]

LOL, the N3V talking heads probably have the same attitude as TSW's Matt in the Discord, where the fanbois please themselves in the presence of devs.

Matt said something like " I think I know what the customers think they want from us " which amounts to an equation with too many variables to solve.

Such a difference to equally small dev teams of Run8 or Derail Valley, either say nothing or maintain an open and forthcoming attitude to bug reports and requests. The tone of DV devs on their Steam page is a nice change from DTG's evasive ivory tower mentality.
Despite all their bragging, N3V and DTG hardly have the financial means to sustain a large team of devs and the number and complexity of bugs at hand far outreaches their resources.

[hminky]

Yeah, pay $15/mo x 12 mo/year x 2 years minimum for release = $360 or $540 for a 3 year release of the game.

Makes sense for a $40 game that won't have many of the features that work correctly.

Bad enough they wanted $70 for TRS2019

Harold

[NorthernWarrior]

I've been viewing and posting on the DV Steam page and can affirm their devs are very good, respond to most comments and even maintain a FAQ with links to a roadmap for the product. Not to mention it's a great little game - even in early access - to boot! If it ever gets a route editor (admittedly a long way off according to the devs) it could seriously challenge Trainz.

[Edwin]

Glad you like it, Vern, and follow the developments closely.

Derail Valley and Diesel Railcar Simulation (that actually would do well in VR too) are created by committed small teams that are dedicated to their products.
Of course, the scope of their games is smaller than either TSW or Tz, but who knows what both games can grow into once their foundations have set and are solid to build on?
Good to read the DV devs take the 2D version of their game equally serious as the 3D VR version and ensure good playability in both.